Hawaiʻi County committee hears hours of public testimony on General Plan 2045; postpones Bill 66 to Oct. 27

Council Chair Ashley Kirkwitz convened a special hearing of the Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development on Oct. 8, 2025, in Hilo to receive public testimony on Bill 66, the draft ordinance to adopt the County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 2045. After approximately 50 minutes of testimony from speakers in Hilo, Kona and on Zoom, Council member Holaka Inaba moved — and Council member Heather Kimball seconded — to postpone Bill 66 to the committee’s next special hearing on Oct. 27; the committee recessed and the meeting was continued to Oct. 27 at 9 a.m.

The hearing drew a mix of comments praising the plan’s specificity and objections arguing the plan would enable unwanted land‑use changes and new infrastructure. Proponents included Terry McDonald, who said he supported the general plan’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and economic diversification and told the committee, “Specificity is its strength, not a weakness.” Several residents and community members opposed aspects of the plan, citing concerns about proposed “smart” electrical grids and meters, the plan’s treatment of agricultural and so‑called “natural lands” designations, potential impacts on local landowners and Native Hawaiian interests, and perceived lack of clear implementation detail.

Why it matters: Bill 66 would replace the county’s longstanding general plan and establish the policy framework that guides zoning and long‑range investment decisions. Testimony at this hearing flagged policy, technical and community‑trust issues that committee members said they want the planning department and other county offices to address before moving the ordinance forward.

Most testimony came from residents who asked the committee to delay final action. Testifiers raised recurring topics: (1) smart grids and smart meters, with claims about health, fire risk and privacy; (2) a redesignation of some extensive agricultural lands to “natural lands” that speakers said could limit farming and grant additional regulatory hurdles; (3) inconsistent or unclear language in the plan (including the use of the term “stakeholders”); (4) difficulty accessing meeting materials and videos online; and (5) concerns about land, water and cultural rights for Native Hawaiians. Several speakers urged additional town halls and more time for community review.

Committee business: Clerk read that Bill 66 (draft 2) “adopts the County of Hawaiʻi General Plan 2045 and repeals ordinance number O5‑025 as amended.” Communications and transmittals identified for the record included Communication 37255 (department feedback), a transmittal from the Office of Housing and Community Development (37257), and prior communications from Councilmember Kirkwitz outlining meeting topics and pathways for October hearings (326.2 and 326.6). Chair Kirkwitz and the committee scheduled a planning department presentation on Chapter 4 (economy) for Oct. 27 and requested the Department of Finance attend to discuss implementation and monitoring in light of an upcoming county financial management system.

What speakers said (selected, verbatim quotes from those who testified): Council Chair Ashley Kirkwitz opened the session and asked for public comment. Terry McDonald (Indivisible Hilo) said the plan’s level of detail was a strength: “Specificity is its strength, not a weakness.” Kathleen (Katie) Friday urged practical climate planning, saying: “Instead of climate change, talk about sea level.” Several opponents invoked health and privacy concerns about smart meters and so‑called smart grids; Rebecca Melendez said she was “in serious opposition of the smart bridal, smart meters” and urged the council to “vote no on this.” Kate Kennedy requested delay of the plan’s redesignation of some “extensive ag to natural land” areas and asked the council to “please hold off on that designation.” The clerk read the bill and the motion to postpone; the committee recessed and set Oct. 27 as the next hearing date.

Distinguishing discussion, direction and formal action: Much of the meeting consisted of public comment (discussion only). Committee direction included scheduling a planning department presentation on Oct. 27 and asking the Department of Finance to attend. One formal committee action taken at the meeting was the motion to postpone further action on Bill 66 to Oct. 27; the motion was moved by Council member Holaka Inaba and seconded by Council member Heather Kimball, and the committee recessed to continue on Oct. 27 at 9 a.m.

Background and process notes: The clerk’s reading of the bill noted previous postponements on July 9, Aug. 20 and Sept. 17, 2025. Several speakers referenced specific plan sections during testimony (for example, one speaker cited Section 4.1.6 in relation to agriculture), and multiple speakers asked for clearer definitions (including of “stakeholders”) and for more accessible public records and video links. The committee requested additional briefings from county departments ahead of continued hearings.

What’s next: The committee will receive a focused presentation from the planning department on Chapter 4 (economy) on Oct. 27; the Department of Finance is expected to present on implementation and monitoring tied to the new financial management system. The public may provide additional testimony at that special hearing.